Recycled Glamour: Maltese Designer To Close Off Prestigious Rome Festival With Unique ‘Plastic Fashion’ Pieces
The fashion industry isn’t exactly the environment’s best friend. That’s exactly why Maltese designer James Dimech has decided to take an alternative approach. Now, Dimech is set to travel to Rometo exhibit his latest project: Elizabeth.
Rome will be celebrating the prestigious Altaroma Festival week from tomorrow, and James’ collection is due to exhibit on the closing night of the event.
The collection looks at the way fashion treats the environment with regards to its resources, focusing on plastic waste specifically.
The materials used are a polyester fibre, all made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, as well as up-cycled waste materials in a diverse array. Tin cans for the win!
James said he found it so amazing how these different materials can be manipulated and transformed into wearable pieces of art.
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This is James’ first haute couture collection and he took inspiration directly from pivotal women in history: Queen Elizabeth and Elizabeth Taylor. Each of the 10 garments in the collection come with their own unique story and James says this is his way of paying tribute to such revolutionary women in time.
Adopting his experience in architecture and origami, the designs will reflect an exploration of form and structure. Monochromatic silhouettes of the garments are emphasised through the manipulation of fabric, with different cuts and folds the designs on show are truly intricate in nature.
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Look out for the golden up-cycled pull-tabs, taken from recycled pet food cans! Not only do they make for a perfect ornament to the black and white bases, but also act as a double-entendre whereby the connotations of stray animal awareness and environmental conscientiousness are portrayed.
The exhibit is made possible thanks to a partnership between the Malta Tourism Authority and the Malta Chamber of Fashion. Dr Gavin Gulia will be in attendance alongside Minister Deo Debattista. Bernard Polidano will head the photography and local model Rebecca Camilleri will join a host of international models to showcase the collection.
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